United States AttorneyEastern District of Louisiana

Fourth Florida Man is Charged in a Superseding Indictment for Conspiracy to Illegally Transport Destructive Devices and Machine Guns

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA — CARLOS CABRERA, age 42, a resident of Orlando, Florida, was charged today in a two–count superseding indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for his role in a conspiracy to transport destructive devices (M-60 Grenades) and machine guns (AK–47 automatic assault rifles and Colt M–4 automatic assault rifles), announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.

According to the superseding indictment, JAIME JAUREGUI, RUBEN JAUREGUI, FRANCISCO MALDONADO and CARLOS CABRERA conspired with each other and others to transport firearms, which are deemed destructive devices and machineguns, including thirty M-60 Grenades, and sixty Colt M4 automatic assault rifles and fifty AK–47 automatic assault rifles from the Eastern District of Louisiana to Texas, Florida, and elsewhere. The conspiracy count alleges that on four occasions from January 2012 through March 21, 2013, JAIME JAUREGUI met with undercover agents in St. Tammany Parish to negotiate the purchase more than 100 fully automatic assault rifles, grenade launchers, grenades, and night vision goggles, some of which were destined for a Mexican drug trafficking cartel. JAIME JAUREGUI provided a cash deposit of approximately $46,000 during those meetings. JAIME JAUREGUI hired FRANCISCO MALDONADO, RUBEN JAUREGUI and CARLOS CABRERA to assist him with transporting the weapons to the final destinations. None of the men have federal firearms or export licenses. The conspiracy count further alleges that the defendants conspired to transport the weapons in the course of engaging in the business of dealing firearms without a license. JAIME JAUREGUI is also charged with one count of illegal possession of unregistered firearms, specifically, two Colt M4 automatic assault rifles.

If convicted of the conspiracy count, each defendant faces a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a 3 year term of supervised release. JAIME JAUREGUI faces additional penalties for the illegal firearms possession charge of up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and a 3 year term of supervised release.

U. S. Attorney Boente reiterated that the superseding indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being investigated by Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Louisiana State Police, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. Prosecution is being handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Robert Weir.

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Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives United States Department of Justice